20 Strange Traffic Laws Around the World That Actually Exist

Posted by Doug Murray on August 18, 2015, Updated on November 8, 2017

One of the ultimate travel adventures is to go on a road trip in a foreign country. To prevent things from going horribly wrong, however, you need to obey the local traffic laws. Most of these are obvious but in some countries you'll find weird laws that you would never have thought existed.

Thinkstock

1 of 20

1. Wear a Shirt

According to NDTV Auto, in Thailand the law says that you have to wear a shirt while driving.

Thinkstock

2 of 20

2. Wear the Right Kind of Shirt

The Toronto Sun says that Halifax has a bylaw telling taxi drivers what kind of shirt they're allowed to wear: one with a collar and sleeves. They also have to wear long pants or dress shorts, socks and shoes.

Thinkstock

3 of 20

3. If You Wear a Bikini, Don't Forget Your Weapon

According to the Daily Mail, women in Kentucky may wear a swimsuit while driving, as long as they carry a weapon for self-defence or have two police officers accompanying them.

Thinkstock

4 of 20

4. You Can Just Leave Your Clothes at Home...

The Daily Mail says that in Germany you're allowed to drive in the nude, since your car is considered a private space.

Thinkstock

5 of 20

5. ...But Remember Your Shoes!

The Daily Mail also says that if you drive barefoot and crash your car in Germany, you may lose your insurance coverage.

Thinkstock

6 of 20

6. Don't Forget Your Glasses

NDTV Auto says that if you're wearing prescription glasses, you need to have an extra pair with you when driving in Spain.

Thinkstock

7 of 20

7. Leave the Blindfold at Home

In Alabama, according to the Huffington Post, it's illegal to drive while blindfolded.

Thinkstock

8 of 20

8. Tell the Dog to Buckle Up

The Daily Mail says that if you take your dog along for the ride in Italy, the critter has to wear a seat belt.

Thinkstock

9 of 20

9. Don't Put the Dog on the Roof

In Alaska, according to Kupperautomotive News, it's against the law to drive while you have a dog tethered to the roof of your vehicle.

Thinkstock

10 of 20

10. The Gorilla Has to Go in the Passenger Seat

According to the Daily Mail, in Massachusetts you may take a gorilla for a drive but the animal has to sit in the passenger seat.

Thinkstock

11 of 20

11. Remember to Pay for Parking Your Alligator

DriverAbroad.com says that in Florida, you may not tie an alligator, a goat or an elephant to a parking meter unless you pay for parking.

Thinkstock

12 of 20

12. Camels Have Right of Way

The Daily Mail says that in the United Arab Emirates, camels have the right of way and you have to yield for them.

Thinkstock

13 of 20

13. So Do Other Animals

In South Africa, according to DriverAbroad.com, the law requires you to stop when herders signal you that they want to cross the road with animals like cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys, mules or horses.

Thinkstock

14 of 20

14. Jingle Those Bells

Wheels.ca says that in Ontario, you may only ride an open sleigh on the highway if it has the right number of bells - no fewer than two - attached.

Thinkstock

15 of 20

15. Wash the Car

In Russia, according to NDTV Auto, you can be fined if you drive in a dirty car.

Thinkstock

16 of 20

16. Don't Drink and Drive

While it's obvious that you shouldn't drive when you've been drinking alcohol, DriverAbroad.com says that in Cyprus you may not even drink water while driving.

Thinkstock

17 of 20

17. Do Drink and Drive

In Costa Rica, according to the Huffington Post, you may drink alcoholic beverages while driving, as long as your blood alcohol level stays within the legal limit.

Thinkstock

18 of 20

18. Keep Your Breathalyzer Handy

The Huffington Post says that in France, you have to have a breathalyzer kit in your car or on your motorbike.

Thinkstock

19 of 20

19. Leave the Lights on

NDTV Auto says that in Sweden, you have to keep your car's headlights on when driving, no matter what the weather looks like or what time of day it is.

Amr Nabil/AP/CP

20 of 20

20. Drive on the Right Highway

As if it's not weird enough that Saudi Arabia won't allow women to drive, near Mecca there is a highway for Muslims only. If you're non-Muslim or travelling with a non-Muslim, you have to use the alternate highway, according to Wheels.ca.